Roof jack



ROOF JACK Filed Sept. 1928 IN V EN TOR.

5% QM, $0M 5&4 y 44/ #56 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 39, 1929..

WILLIAM H. OTHICK, OF

ROOF

' Application filed September My invention relates to improvements in roof jacks.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a novel roof jack which is adapted to support in a horizontal position a run board, with the jack disposed on roofs having different angular inclinations.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel roof jack, which is simple, cheap, strong, durable, not likely to get out of order, which can be securely and easily anchored on a roof, which can be easily and quickly adjusted to securely support a run board in a horizontal position on roofs of dilferent pitches, and which is safe, reliable and efficient in its use.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of one of the jacks, shown in operative position.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the jack folded.

Fig. 3 is a reduced side elevation showing one of the jacks anchored on a roof, a part only of which is shown.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, the jack being shown mounted on a roof less steep than the roof shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevation showing in reduced size two jacks supporting a run board on a roof.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the anchoring members shown engaged with a window frame, which is shown in vertical section and broken away.

Fig. 7 is a plan view, enlarged, of one of the anchoring members.

Similar characters of reference designate similar parts in the different views.

My improved jack is provided with a roof engaging device comprising, preferably a flat bar doubled on itself for a portion of its length, so as to form two arms or members 1, which diverge downwardly a part of their lengths, the lower portions being substantially parallel with each other and spaced apart, as shown.

Two similarly diverging run board supporting members comprising two flat bars 2, disposed edge up, have one set of ends pivoted on a horizontal axis comprising a horizontal bolt 3, which extends through the members 1 and the members 2, the latter being disposed between the members 1.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

JACK.

is, 1928. Serial No. 305,806.

The upper edges of the members 2 are adapted to support in a horizontal position a run board 4, each member having at its outer end and upper edge a projection 5 adapted to engage the outer edge of the run board to hold it from slipping off. I v For supporting the members 2 with their upper edges in the horizontal position, when the members 2 are lying on roofs of different pitches or inclinations, there are provided two brace members comprising two twisted bars 6, which have their upper ends respectively pivoted on horizontal axes, by means of two bolts 7 which respectively extend through the members 2 adjacent to the outer ends thereof. v I

The lower portions of the bars 6 are given a quarter turn, as shown. Each bar 6 is adapted to have its lower end disposed in any one of a longitudinal row of notches 8 provided in the upper edge of the adjacent member 1, which supports the brace bar 6. Each brace bar. 6 is provided in its lower end with a notch 9 adapted to receive the adjacent member 1, for holding the brace memher 6 from lateral shifting.

To anchor the jack on the roof, it has mounted'in a hole extending through the members 1 adjacent to their upper ends a ring 10 to which is fastened a flexible member such as a rope or cable 11, which is adapted to be engaged with a hook 12 at the lower end of 'an anchoring member comprising a plate 13, the upper end of which is provided with a hook 14 adapted to engage the ridge boards 15 of a roof 16, Fig. 3, or the sill 17 of a dormer window frame, as shown in Fig. 6.

' The cable 11 has a ring 11 for engaging the hook 1.2.

The hook 1 1 is provided with a hole 18 for receiving therethrough a nail 18 driven into the ridge board 15 adjacent thereto to securely hold the anchoring member from detachment from the ridge boards. By having the anchoring means just described attached at the upper end and in the longitudinal center of the jack midway between the notched portions of the members 1, a single cable serves to anchor the jack in its adjusted position, and to hold it from lateral movement from its adjusted position.

In the operation of the invention, two of myimproved jacks, which are alike in construction are employed, the members 1 of each jack being disposed on the roof in the position desired, and held there by the adjacent cable 11 and the adjacent hook 14, which is engaged, asbefore described, with the ridge boards 15, as described.

The bracemembers 6 are then inserted in the notches 8 such as will cause the brace members to support the members 2 in the horizontal position. The run board 4 is then placed upon the upper edges of the members 2 of both jacks at the inner side of the projections 5.

By adjustment of the lower ends of the brace members 6 longitudinally on the members 1, the run board 4 will be held in the horizontal position on roofs of different inclinations. By adjustment of the cables 11 in the rings 10, the jacks may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly on the roof, as desired.

When not in use, the members 2 and 6 may be folded to positions in the plane of the members 1, thus disposing them in compact form for storage or carrying.

I do not limit my invention to the structure shown and described, as many modifications, within the scope of the appended claim,

may be made, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is A roof jack comprising a roof engaging device having two arms which diverge downwardly a part of their lengths and have theirv lower portions substantially parallel with each other and spaced apart, two'run board supporting members pivoted on a horizontal axis to the upper ends of said arms and diverging downwardly similarly to said arms, two brace members respectively pivoted on horizontal axes to said run board supporting members and having means for respectively adjustably engaging said arms and for being supported thereby at different places longitudinally thereof, and a longitudinally extensible anchoring means attached to the upper end and longitudinal center of said roof engaging device, and having means for releasably engaging and being held by the ridge of a roof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM H. OTHICK. 

